Planning commission approves 4-foot variance for Sawney Village entrance sign setback

The Cumming Planning Commission on Jan. 21 approved a variance allowing one entrance monument for the Sawney Village subdivision to encroach 4 feet into the required 10-foot sign setback along Pilgrim Mill Road.

Jackson Stevens, representing the Providence Group, told the commission the encroachment is necessary because a required deceleration lane moved the right-of-way back about 12 feet, which in turn pushed the monument setback. "The way we designed it with this 4 foot encroachment ... doesn't give any issues as far as sight distance on left or right, down Pilgrim Mill Road," Stevens said, adding the adjustment preserves a symmetrical view of the two entrance monuments and avoids placing the northern monument "several feet below the road level."

Scott, city planning staff, said the applicant requested to move the monument approximately 4 feet into the required 10-foot sign setback from the right-of-way. He told the commission the northern side of the entrance requires fill so the two signs will match elevations and that denying the variance would leave the sign well below road level. "Given the necessary minimal encroachment into the right of way, sign setback, the staff recommends approval of the variance," Scott said.

After public hearing and no speakers in opposition, a commissioner moved to approve variance 2024281 based on the staff report; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The approval permits the northern entrance monument to be sited 4 feet closer to the right-of-way than the standard 10-foot sign setback; the applicant and staff stated the change does not, in their view, create sight-distance or travel-lane safety issues.

No conditions, permit numbers beyond the variance ID, or specific installation dates were provided during the meeting. The commission closed the public hearing and adopted the staff recommendation by unanimous vote.